Website to air wage cuts fury

Devastated council workers in Wolverhampton have set up their own website to vent their fury over wage cuts which will leave many thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Around 9,500 employees at Wolverhampton Council were told this month whether they will be paid less as part of a major national salary shake-up known as single status, aimed at ending pay inequalities.

Some distraught staff clai-med they faced a drop of up to £11,000 per year and co-uld lose their house as a result.

Leaflets detailing the new staff website, www.wolvessinglestatus.com, have now been handed to employees on their way to work at the Civic Centre.

So far many of those posting comments on the website say they don't believe claims by council bosses only a minority of workers will lose out, with some also set to enjoy pay increases.

One of the website organisers, who asked not to be named, said today: "We have been kept in the dark about how results were achieved. Feelings are running high and the forum has provided an outlet for people to try and co-ordinate a response."

One disgruntled worker wrote: "I am potentially facing the prospect of not being able to pay my mortgage and as a single parent I have no back-up."

Wolverhampton City Council's acting director for performance and development Anne Dokov said today: "Though the vast majority of council employees will stay the same or gain under the proposed equal pay package, we fully appreciate that some staff will be very disappointed."

Unison members will be meeting on Tuesday at the Civic Centre.